Stephen Larkham’s future up in the air after Wallabies’ attack coach misses training camp
STEPHEN Larkham’s future as Wallabies’ attack coach is looking increasingly grim after he did not attend the squad’s training camp in Sydney last week.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
STEPHEN Larkham’s future as Wallabies’ attack coach is looking increasingly grim after he did not attend the squad’s training camp in Sydney last week.
All of the other coaches attended the Wallabies camp in part or for the whole week.
Larkham is technically on leave but was in Canberra during the camp.
BEALE AVOIDS PUNISHMENT OVER LEADED VIDEO
The Daily Telegraph understands Larkham’s position came up when head coach Michael Cheika gave his 2018 season review to the Rugby Australia board late last year.
The RA board expressed support for Larkham, but he, like defence coach Nathan Grey, forwards coach Simon Raiwalui and skills coach Mick Byrne are all still under review following last year’s disastrous campaign.
Larkham is still employed as the Wallabies’ attack coach, although his name was linked to a coaching job at a Japanese Top League club recently.
The legendary playmaker has been the Wallabies’ backs coach since 2015, when the team made the World Cup final, which Larkham won as Australia’s five-eighth in 1999.
RA has appointed Scott Johnson as director of rugby, but because he is still involved in Scotland’s Six Nations campaign he will not take up his duties in Australia until March.
Speculation around all of the assistant coaches will continue until the decisions are made, which will be extremely late in a World Cup year.
Australia has just four Tests to gel before their Cup campaign kicks off in Japan in September.
Cheika survived the axe after the review, although RA put Johnson into the senior position while also appointing a yet to be named third selector for all team decisions.
Meanwhile, playmaker Kurtley Beale has escaped sanction for the second time this week after another video emerged of him near what appear to be illicit substances.
Beale was filmed laughing at a man snorting cocaine in a video from 2016 taken by NRL star Corey Norman that was made public on Monday, and then was featured in another video with a man holding a plate of white powder in a video from 2015 that was released on Wednesday.
“As with the first video which surfaced on Monday and was recorded in 2016, Kurtley was not seen in the vision to be involved in the use of any illicit substances,” RA chief executive Raelene Castle said.
“Kurtley returned from a brief trip to New Zealand yesterday and has spoken with Rugby Australia’s Integrity Unit in relation to the second video.
“Following this conversation, Rugby Australia has determined not to proceed with any formal disciplinary action over Kurtley’s appearance in the videos.
“These videos were recorded a number of years ago, and Kurtley has again stressed his regret at placing himself at significant risk and for the damage the videos have caused to the image of both himself and the sport.
“These videos serve as a warning to every professional rugby player in Australia of the risks associated with placing themselves in compromising situations, particularly in environments where illicit drugs may be present.”
Get every stop on the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series LIVE into your living room. SIGN UP NOW!
Originally published as Stephen Larkham’s future up in the air after Wallabies’ attack coach misses training camp
Wallabies lose key man ahead of White’s Lions farewell
A key Wallaby has been ruled out of the third Test against the British & Irish Lions and will miss Nic White’s farewell to international rugby.
Lions controversy sparks ‘online abuse’, Wallabies’ coach steps in
Wallabies’ coach Joe Schmidt has stepped in to protect Carlo Tizzano after he was hounded off social media by persistent abuse after his role in the dramatic finish to the second Test.